Coaches stunned by soft Quirk red card

Brad Thorn believes the very soul of rugby union is at risk of being destroyed by pedantic refereeing decisions like the one that marred Queensland's Super Rugby win over the Sunwolves.

An incredulous Thorn said Ed Quirk was only doing what hundreds of players before him have done with his "facial" on Hamish Stewart that earned him what some pundits are calling the softest red card in rugby history.

Sunwolves flanker Quirk was sent off in the 37th minute of Friday night's clash for what officials deemed to be foul play - a closed fist, almost gently rubbed into to Stewart's face while the pair were at the bottom of the ruck.

Referee Ben O'Keeffe claimed he had "no option" but to produce a red card, effectively cruelling the Japanese outfit's chances of victory at a crucial juncture in the match when the margin was just nine points.

"What's going on?" Thorn said.

"I suspect I sound like an old guy that's going, 'back in the day, blah blah blah', but seriously, that's not good for footy.

"I'm sitting there, I'm the opposite coach and straight away, I'm up there just going, that's no good. It just hurts the game.